Universal Decimal Classification

Universal Decimal Classification is a system of library classification developed by Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine in the late 19th century, with the first edition published in 1905 by the Institut International de Bibliographie (IIB). The system was designed to be a comprehensive and flexible tool for organizing and retrieving information, and it has been widely used in libraries and other institutions around the world, including the British Library, Library of Congress, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Universal Decimal Classification system has been influenced by the work of Melvil Dewey and his Dewey Decimal Classification system, as well as the Colon Classification system developed by S.R. Ranganathan. The system has also been used in conjunction with other classification systems, such as the Library of Congress Classification system used by the Library of Congress and the National Library of Australia.

Introduction

The Universal Decimal Classification system is a proprietary system owned by the UDC Consortium, a non-profit organization based in The Hague, Netherlands. The system is used in over 130 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. The system has been translated into many languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The Universal Decimal Classification system has been used in a variety of settings, including academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries, and archives, such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the British National Archives.

History

The development of the Universal Decimal Classification system began in the late 19th century, when Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine founded the Institut International de Bibliographie (IIB) in Brussels, Belgium. The first edition of the system was published in 1905, and it was initially used in the IIB's own library. The system quickly gained popularity, and it was adopted by libraries and other institutions around the world, including the Vatican Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and Russian State Library. The Universal Decimal Classification system has undergone several revisions and updates over the years, with new editions published in 1907, 1912, 1927, 1933, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1993, and 2005. The system has also been influenced by the work of other classification systems, such as the Bliss Classification system developed by Henry E. Bliss and the Cutter Expansive Classification system developed by Charles Ammi Cutter.

Structure

The Universal Decimal Classification system is based on a decimal notation, with each class represented by a combination of digits and letters. The system is divided into ten main classes, which are further subdivided into more specific classes and subclasses. The main classes are: 0. Generalities, 1. Philosophy and psychology, 2. Religion, 3. Social sciences, 4. Language, 5. Science, 6. Technology, 7. Arts and recreation, 8. Literature, and 9. History and geography. The system also includes a number of auxiliary tables, which provide additional information and context for the classification of specific topics, such as the Auxiliary Table of Geographic Names and the Auxiliary Table of Language and Literature. The Universal Decimal Classification system has been used in conjunction with other classification systems, such as the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) system used by the National Library of Medicine and the Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) system used by the Getty Research Institute.

Application

The Universal Decimal Classification system is widely used in libraries and other institutions around the world, including the National Library of China, National Diet Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and Russian State Library. The system is used to classify and organize books, journals, and other materials, as well as to provide subject access to these materials. The Universal Decimal Classification system is also used in conjunction with other classification systems, such as the Dewey Decimal Classification system and the Library of Congress Classification system. The system has been used in a variety of settings, including academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries, and archives, such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the British National Archives. The Universal Decimal Classification system has also been used by organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and International Labour Organization.

Comparison_with_other_classification_systems

The Universal Decimal Classification system is one of several library classification systems in use around the world, including the Dewey Decimal Classification system, the Library of Congress Classification system, and the Colon Classification system. Each of these systems has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which system to use will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the library or institution. The Universal Decimal Classification system is known for its flexibility and adaptability, and it is widely used in libraries and other institutions around the world, including the British Library, Library of Congress, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The system has also been compared to other classification systems, such as the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) system used by the National Library of Medicine and the Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) system used by the Getty Research Institute.

Maintenance_and_updates

The Universal Decimal Classification system is maintained and updated by the UDC Consortium, a non-profit organization based in The Hague, Netherlands. The consortium is responsible for publishing new editions of the system, as well as for providing training and support to users. The Universal Decimal Classification system is also supported by a number of national and international organizations, including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA). The system has undergone several revisions and updates over the years, with new editions published in 1907, 1912, 1927, 1933, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1993, and 2005. The Universal Decimal Classification system has also been influenced by the work of other classification systems, such as the Bliss Classification system developed by Henry E. Bliss and the Cutter Expansive Classification system developed by Charles Ammi Cutter. Category:Library classification